In a major expansion plan, the Al Maktoum International Airport is being transformed into the world’s largest airport. The facility will have 400 gates and five runways with a capacity of 260 million passengers. This ambitious project is part of Dubai South, a planned city that aims to accommodate 1 million people.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, announced the upgrade of the Al Maktoum International Airport in 2019, emphasizing that Dubai is building for future generations. The airport will cost $35 billion to construct over the next 10 years and will serve as a central hub for global travel, trade, and urban development.
Currently, Dubai International Airport is the busiest in the world, with 87 million passengers in 2023. However, all operations will be moved to the Al Maktoum facility once it is completed. The airport will feature five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, surrounded by a new city with housing for 1 million people.
Opened in 2010 as Dubai World Central (DWC), the Al Maktoum International Airport has one terminal and two runways today. It is a key element of Dubai South’s strategy to create a thriving economic zone with jobs and residences for a million people across 55 square miles.
The expansion of the Al Maktoum International Airport comes as travel to Dubai returns to pre-pandemic levels, with 17.15 million international visitors in 2023. This growth in tourism and trade underlines the importance of investing in infrastructure to support future development and prosperity in Dubai.
In conclusion, the expansion of the Al Maktoum International Airport is an ambitious project that aligns with Dubai’s vision for future generations. By creating a central hub for global travel and trade while also providing housing for a million people across 55 square miles, this expansion will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Dubai’s economy and society as we know it today.
